Reviving Student Interest in Classic Literature: a Field-Experimental Study of New Edition and Shelf Display As Promoting Strategies" (2013)
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San Jose State University SJSU ScholarWorks Master's Theses Master's Theses and Graduate Research Spring 2013 Reviving Student Interest in Classic Literature: A Field- Experimental Study of New Edition and Shelf Display as Promoting Strategies Maggie Huff San Jose State University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses Recommended Citation Huff, Maggie, "Reviving Student Interest in Classic Literature: A Field-Experimental Study of New Edition and Shelf Display as Promoting Strategies" (2013). Master's Theses. 4278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.hru2-cgv4 https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses/4278 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Master's Theses and Graduate Research at SJSU ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of SJSU ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. REVIVING STUDENT INTEREST IN CLASSIC LITERATURE: A FIELD- EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF NEW EDITION AND SHELF DISPLAY AS PROMOTING STRATEGIES A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the School of Library and Information Science San Jose State University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Library and Information Science by Margaret E. Huff May 2013 ©2013 Margaret E. Huff ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Designated Thesis Committee Approved the Thesis Titled REVIVING STUDENT INTEREST IN CLASSIC LITERATURE: A FIELD- EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF NEW EDITION AND SHELF DISPLAY AS PROMOTING STRATEGIES By Margaret E. Huff APPROVED FOR THE SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY May 2013 Dr. Geoffrey Liu School of Library and Information Science Dr. Debra Hansen School of Library and Information Science Mrs. Julie Harder Pattonville School District ABSTRACT REVIVING STUDENT INTEREST IN CLASSIC LITERATURE: A FIELD- EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF NEW EDITION AND SHELF DISPLAY AS PROMOTING STRATEGIES by Margaret E. Huff Librarians often keep classic books in school libraries because the books have educational merits, yet they are rarely checked out for recreational reading. Current research on low circulation of classic literature in school libraries is limited to anecdotal evidence from school and young adult librarians suggesting that lack of promotion and especially the inferior condition of old editions contribute to low circulation. This research fills the gap by examining the effect of new editions and display on circulation in a field experimental study at a middle school library in 2011. Set up as 2 X 2 factorial design, the field experiment had four experimental groups: old edition shelved, old edition displayed, new edition shelved, and new edition displayed. Twenty books -- ten new editions, ten old editions, and all of different titles -- were used for the study, with half in each category randomly chosen for displaying on bookstands at the end of a shelf. Circulation statistics were collected for these books over a period of three months. Although statistical analysis revealed no significant impact, further examination of the experimental data seemed to suggest that new edition and display in combination may increase circulation of classic titles and that books with quality cover art and informative summaries are most likely to circulate. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people helped through the stages of this thesis. I would first like to thank Dr. Geoffrey Liu for guiding me throughout the entire process, from brainstorming a topic to reviewing the final draft. I want to thank Dr. Debra Hansen for serving on my committee and for her suggestions that have added clarity and scope to my writing. I would like to thank another committee member, Mrs. Julie Harder of Heights Middle School, for her flexibility and assistance with the experiment. Thanks are also due to Dr. David Miller and the Pattonville School District for supporting the experiment. I would like to thank my great teacher, Mella Baxter, who edited this thesis despite no longer being obligated to read my homework; Kelly, who cheered me on; and my parents, who are great listeners and encouragers. My Aunt Angie, my friend Pat Koch Lee and my grandmothers recommended their favorite classic novels years ago, and I belatedly express my gratitude here. Thanks to Yacy, Indy, Tigger, Eight, Baby, Ally, Sonny, Louise, Buppy, Cocoa and Happy, I wrote and revised this thesis with warm legs and a warmer heart. DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated with love to my cousin, Ms. Madeline Chieffo. By sharing her cherished books with me, she has shaped my reading interests and, consequently, my character. v Table of Contents List of Tables.................................................................................................................. ix Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 The Research ............................................................................................................. 2 Research Questions .................................................................................................... 3 Hypotheses ................................................................................................................ 3 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................... 4 Thesis Organization ................................................................................................... 4 Literature Review ........................................................................................................... 6 Classic Books and Young Adults .............................................................................. 6 Factors Affecting Student Choice.............................................................................10 Cover Art .....................................................................................................11 Jacket Summary ...........................................................................................15 New Appearance ..........................................................................................16 Hypothesis 1 ............................................................................................................18 Book Display as a Marketing Strategy .....................................................................18 Hypothesis 2 ............................................................................................................19 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................19 Methodology .................................................................................................................21 Introduction .............................................................................................................21 Background .............................................................................................................22 The School .........................................................................................................22 The Library ........................................................................................................23 Selection Factors in the Library ..........................................................................24 Classics in the Collection ...................................................................................24 Student Interest in Classics .................................................................................26 Experimental Design and Group Assignment ...........................................................27 Procedures ...............................................................................................................28 Locating Classics ...............................................................................................28 Fiction ..........................................................................................................28 In Print .........................................................................................................29 At Least 50 Years Old ..................................................................................29 Hardcover ....................................................................................................29 An Old Edition .............................................................................................30 vi Desired .........................................................................................................30 Lack of Quality Cover Art ............................................................................31 Classic..........................................................................................................31 Inferior Summary .........................................................................................31 Outlier ..........................................................................................................32 Purchasing New Editions ...................................................................................33 Hardcover ....................................................................................................35 Interesting Cover Design ..............................................................................35 Summary ......................................................................................................35